Thursday, April 25, 2013

Fire Pump Sensor Recall

Gem Sensor 3100 Recall Notice

On April 24, 2012 the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a press release, CPSC #12‐156, for the voluntary recall of Gems 3100 Pressure Detectors/Transducers because the transducer can fail to accurately detect water pressure in a fire suppression sprinkler system. This could cause the sprinkler system to fail to activate and pump water to the sprinklers in the event of a fire. The failure associated with the Transducer is not a sudden loss of function but rather a slow degradation of performance over many hours of continuous use with constant water pressure. The use of the transducer in non‐water and/or fluctuating pressure applications has not shown the same potential problem.

The sensors are basically failing in a "high" pressure rating (e.g. will read 100 PSI higher than actual pressure). So it is easy to spot, but does require good on-going maintenance. One should install a calibrated gauge and compare the pressures.

The transducer has "Gems Sensors & Controls," as well as the 18- digit part number, printed on a label affixed to the center of the transducer. Part numbers beginning with "3100" are included in this recall.

Gems sold the recalled 3100 Pressure Transducers directly to end-users and through distributors from January 2006 through February 2012.
The 3100 has been replaced with the new 3300 series model. Replacement transducers are avaliable at no cost from Gem.

The newer 3300 model has a green sticker as shown in the figure to the right. The older 3100 model has a white sticker.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Gems Sensors Recalls Pressure Transducers Used in Fire Pump Controllers Due to Risk of Failure in a Fire

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Gems 3100 Pressure Detectors/Transducers

Units: About 25,000

Importer: Gems Sensors Inc., of Plainville, Conn.

Hazard: The transducer can fail to accurately detect water pressure in a fire suppression sprinkler system. This could cause the sprinkler system to fail to activate and pump water to the sprinklers in the event of a fire.

Incidents/Injuries: None.

Description: The Gems 3100 Pressure Transducer is used to detect pressure in a range of applications, including the detection of water pressure as part of a fire pump controller in a fire suppression sprinkler system. The transducer has "Gems Sensors & Controls," as well as the 18- digit part number, printed on a label affixed to the center of the transducer. Part numbers beginning with "3100" are included in this recall.

Sold by: Gems sold the recalled 3100 Pressure Transducers directly to end-users and through distributors from January 2006 through February 2012 for about $250.

Manufactured in: England

Remedy: Contact Gems to receive enhanced twice monthly inspection instructions and information about a free replacement transducer, when warranted. End-users who use the 3100 Pressure Transducer in other applications in which water pressure is measured should contact Gems to determine if their units are affected.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call the company toll-free at (855) 877-9666, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at http://www.gemssensors.com

Gems 3100 Pressure Transducer

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.